New MD announced

Our new MD was announced earlier this month. Jason Papprill will be taking over the reins from Dave Watson, who retired earlier this year. Jason starts in September

It's not about building!

I keep telling people that it's not about building any more. That's not just a defence mechanism for my own lack of technical knowledge, despite many years in the industry! Being able to build these days is a given. As the recession bites the onus is on builders and consultants to add value to their customers and potential customers, and network harder. If you've something worthwhile to offer networking can become a pleasurable experience. It's finding out that something worthwhile that's the problem.

Hull Girls reach national finals!

The Girls U12 Kingston Upon Hull Hockey Team sponsored by Hobson & Porter, made the Yazoo National Mini Finals this weekend and finished 6th in the country, narrowly missing out in the top 4 playoffs on goal difference by only 1 goal, only losing 1 game. Abigail Smee was announced Player of the Tournament. Pictured with the team is H&P site manager Mark Smee

H&P selected for Doncaster refurbs

Doncaster Council has appointed Hobson and Porter Ltd to carry out the refurbishment works in the six streets scheme. This includes Childers, Palmer, Cooper, North and South Streets as well as St Andrews Terrace.

The work is due to start on 4 May 2010, and will involve replacing over 180 windows and 165 front doors. The outer appearance of the homes will also be improved by brick washing. Residents can expect colour and style samples for the new doors to be available next week so that those receiving them can pick one.

A schedule of work is currently being created by the contractor so that each resident receives as much notice as possible of the intended dates when work will be carried out to their home. This is to minimise any inconvenience.

Director of Development Peter Dale said: "This is an important milestone in the project which is changing the face of the six streets area of Doncaster. "We would urge residents to respond as soon as possible as that will help with the ordering of materials to complete the works."

Local Employment Charter

Just returned from the Guildhall where I collected an award from Alan Johnson on behalf of Hobson & Porter to recognise our commitment to local employment. It was a great networking event and gave me the opportunity to talk to all the great and good of Hull, but it did make me think "what have we really done to deserve this recognition?".

Employing and developing a local workforce (myself excepted, as I live in sheffield?) makes good business sense, but the pledge that we made should be supported by hard evidence if it to have real impact. That's why we have committed to work with organisations such as Construction Works to ensure that we are held to account.

Commitment to local employment can be proactively encouraged through pledges and charters, but will only be delivered when it forms part of an integrated procurement strategy. Local authorities and regeneration projects can achieve this by structuring tender bids and PQQ's to favour suppliers that can demonstrate a local and sustainable supply chain. This should include not only local economic benefit in terms of training and respending, but also the carbon efficiencies that are associated with buying local.

Let's hope that when the billions of pounds that are spent nationwide over the coming years to retrofit the housing stock are handed out, that this work is delivered by local companies, and that the procurement process actively encourages this outcome.

Gearing up for training

Fresh from our success at being appointed to the Yorbuild construction framework, we are now embarking on our first projects, a series of affordable housing schemes for East Riding Council. The client's funding from the Homes annd Communities Agency is conditional on them delivering a load of training and apprenticeship targets. This includes apprenticeships, NVQ's and work experience. We also have to show that we are hitting their targets on the number of operatives on site carrrying CSCS cards, and passing health and safety touch screen tests. All the East Riding contractors working on Yorbuild (including Halls, Quibells, Houltons and H&P) will be expecting our subcontractors to help us to deliver these targets. It won't be easy, but it's the way the wind is blowing, so we need to get on top of how we manage it as soon as possible. The BSF schools programme for Hull has similar targets, with over 500 apprenticeships planned, so in a few years we will no doubt all be experts, and probably over-qualified!